prep
about
uh-BOWT
prep
1
Concerning a particular subject; on the topic of.
"The documentary is about deep-sea creatures."
"She asked him about his weekend."
2
Surrounding, or in various places within an area.
"Papers were scattered about the room."
adv
1
Close to a number, amount, or time; approximately.
"We'll arrive at about six o'clock."
"The trip costs about two hundred pounds."
adj
1
On the point of doing something; on the verge of.
"He was about to leave when the phone rang."
How to Use About
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flexible little word covering topic ("about the weather"), rough location ("about the house"), and rough estimate ("about ten").
Common pairings
about to
what about
about time
Word Forms
abouted past tense, abouts singular
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The documentary is _____ deep-sea creatures.
Etymology
From Old English onbutan, a fusion of on and butan ("outside of"), which itself combines be ("by") and utan ("outside") — so, quite literally, "by the outside."